Everything in place for upcoming MN-S election

EFN Staff | May 18, 2017

The candidates have been announced,
polling stations have been declared, and the race to election day has
officially commenced.

After a rocky start, and some
unforeseen delays, the MN-S election is getting closer to a reality. On May 27th
Métis people across Saskatchewan will cast their vote to choose a new team of
leaders to move the Métis agenda into the future.

Ric Richardson hopes that Métis
people take advantage and exercise their right to vote in this election.

“This
is the most important election the Métis have had in Saskatchewan in a long
time. It is concerning that it was delayed until after the Métis National
Council election, but now we have to vote,” said Richardson, who is the Mayor
of the Northern Village of Green Lake. “We have issues like the Daniels
Decision and the Manitoba Land Claim to negotiate, and we have had no one at
the table for many years. We have been promoting the various forums that are
happening around the province, and I’m also telling people personally to vote.
But it could go either way for turnout.”

Candidates for President are
diverse and include retirees, former northern mayors, and several from
different occupations. Ages range from mid 30's to some in their 70’s.
Every single candidate has been involved in Métis politics in one way or
another.

Candidates running President
include:

Bruce C. Flamont,

Steve Fraser,

Karen Anne LaRocque,

Charlene
Lavallee,

Lorna Docken Ledoux,

Alex Laurent Maurice,

Dale McAuley,

Glen Hector
McCallum,

and Mike Tanton.

Vice President candidates are:

Darren
Deschambeault,

Cheryl Fiddler-Agren-Reed,

Louis G. Gardiner,

Miranda Moran,

Gerald Morin,

and Wayne Whitford.

Secretary candidates are:

Tammy
Louise Mah-Fiddler,

Lisa McCallum,

and Ashley Norton.

Treasurer candidates are:

May
Henderson,

Roxanne Marie Kennedy,

and Mary Ann Morin.

A bustling team of committed people
occupy the Electoral Office located in Saskatoon at Market Mall taking calls,
offering advice, training elections officers and preparing for the big day. The
hope is that this election will engage as many Métis people as possible. The
turnout for past elections has been getting thinner each cycle.

“With early voting in the Regional
Returning Offices, Advanced Polls, and Election Day Polls, the Métis people
have many opportunities to make their voices heard through this democratic
process,” said Chief Electoral Officer Loretta Metzger.

Election staff are in place for advanced polls and the day of the election.

The criteria to vote are quite simple.
You must identify as a Métis citizen, be at least 16 years of age, not be a
registered member of a First Nation or any other Aboriginal peoples, and be a resident
of Saskatchewan. To vote for a Regional Representative, you must be a resident
of the region. If you have a drivers license or SGI ID, you are good to go. Or
you can bring two other pieces of ID or someone can vouch for you.

And with several advance and mobile
polls and nearly one hundred polls across the province, there will be lots of
opportunity to vote for one of the most hotly contested elections in MN-S
history.

Richardson is concerned about voter
apathy, but hopes that he’s wrong.

“Some people are just not willing
to participate anymore and say they are getting along well without the MN-S. The
infighting left a bad taste in their mouth. And that’s too bad. We need those
people and their voices,” said Richardson. “My hope is people will vote because
it is so important to have our voice at the table right now to talk hunting
rights, land claims and education. Now is the time for leadership.”

Information about how to cast a
vote on election day, or during advanced polls can be found on the Métis Nation
Election website at www.mnselection.ca